Mazda MX5 inspired by Garage Vary

I've been very busy working on some projects to tie in with the theme of our club display at the UK Nationals (held this past weekend). For the last few years I have had a seriously poor modeling work ethic which has resulted in numerous unfinished projects and failing to bring along anything new to club meets and displays for the past few years.

This year I have given myself a kick up the arse and finally finished something, well 4 models infact! (Aston DBS Volante already up on forum, see other threads to be posted shortly)

To give you some idea of how poor I've been at completing anything new these are the first models I have finished since the SAS Kaminari Celica in 2003:eek:

Anyway the theme for our display this year was convertibles and cabriolets etc.

I first built a Tamiya MX5 when I was about 12 years old, it was brush painted red with enamels and looked pretty poor when finished. I remember having a lot of fun building it though which is mainly the reason I chose to tackle the subject again some 21 years later:eek: Glad to say my skills have progressed alot since those eary days so I opted to due something special in tribute to one of my early model making experience with this kit.

I feel the first MX5 is poorly catered for in the world of aftermarket bodykits, searching the net I found practically nothing that looks good apart from an option by Jap tuner Garage Vary.:sunglasse

I scratch built the bodykit, rear spoiler and diffuser which was made by first producing a pattern from balsa wood and vac forming sheet styrene over it (see later pic, the pattern got locked in to the molded sheet and broke apart removing it). I Liked the look of raised pop-up headlights so fabricated those too. Used left over SAS CF & KF decals all around which were toned down if Tamiya Smoke acrylic, the wheel arch flares were given a CF effect by airbrushing through fine mesh. Colour scheme and wheel choice is loosely inspired by the MX5 Super 20, the grey is Lamborghini Grigio Telesto, along with Porsche GT3 RS orange and Mini Midnight Black. Water based auto paints were used finished with 2K clear.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020639.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020640.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020643.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020645.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020646.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020649.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020650.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020655.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020668.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020661.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020660.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020666.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020663.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020667.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020657.jpg


http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020442.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/scaleautostyle/P1020447.jpg

Nice build. I too find it enjoyable to redo kits I did as a kid - and this one turned out great. I particularly like the popped headlights.

Great work all around! Especially on the diffuser!

Needless to say, I love it :sunglasse

Wow, thats awesome!!! Ive been looking at a similar build & your right there are hardly any MX5 bodykits that look any good, even the racing cars are pretty lame!
Where did you get the Lambo grey from?

Great job Chris!!.. good to see you back modeling..

great job chris!!.. Good to see you back modeling..

+1 :)

Great job Chris!!.. good to see you back modeling..

+2 :)


IMO A different color would look better. Although beautiful scratch work like always.

I like your scratch built additions but I'm not really a fan of the paint scheme you've gone for although your carbon effect by spraying through mesh looks very effective. Keep up your momentum to complete some more models.

Where did you get the Lambo grey from?

It was mixed up by a model friend whom works within the paint repair industry, nothing better than free paint when you need it :sunglasse

What a superb build :eek:

I have a box of the MX5 at home too and I also thought about making it pop out. Thanks for showing me its inner shape clearly in your photos! Was your heat mold made of wood? And what plastic did you use for the forming?

Awesome! It's so great to see you bringing your skills back to the board and you sharing the results with us! Perhaps it will be the kick in the pants I need too. I love this little model, the headlights look perfect and the diffuser is amazing. I love the idea of vacuuforming it - a vacuuform set up is something i desperately want. Thanks for sharing!

Great job Chris!!.. good to see you back modeling..

+3!! :smokin: